Saturday, February 28, 2009

Ben's 2nd Birthday




Today we had a great time celebrating my son's 2nd birthday. I can't believe he is already 2! My family is the best thing I have going, and as I shared Friday with our men at Ironmen AM - they are the greatest passion of my life along with my wife.

Today was tons of fun! I love being a Dad.

The Top 10 - RELEVANCE...





Are you Relevant?




Each week the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding uploads a new top ten. It's a look at some of the lists that shape our cultural landscape. (especially out teens) They provide the lists as a way of taking the pulse of pop culture and society. In addition to being informative windows into the world of our student's culture, these lists make great discussion starters with students. Most of the lists are updated on a weekly basis, so check back often to stay up-to-date.




Here is their website CPYU




for example...



Top 10 Movies this week
2/20/2009 - 2/22/2009
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, $41.1 mil
Taken, $11.4 mil
Coraline, $11 mil
He's Just Not That Into You, $8.5 mil
Slumdog Millionaire, $8 mil
Friday the 13th, $7.8 mil
Confessions of a Shopaholic, $7 mil
Paul Blart: Mall Cop, $7 mil
Fired Up!, $6 mil
The International, $4.4 mil




TOP TEN Artists on MTV.com this week
2/23/2009
Lil Wayne
Beyonce
T.I.
Britney Spears
Pussycat Dolls
Chris Brown
Rihanna
50 Cent
Akon
Kanye West


good info!

Welcome Jordan Easley to the blog world



Jordan Easley, a friend of mine and the Student Pastor for the RE:Student Minstry on the Woodway Campus here at Second, just began his journey into the blogging world.


No doubt what Jordan will share will be an encouragement to you. He is a gifted leader, speaker, and minister to students. Second is blessed to have him, and I'm blessed to serve alongside him.


Visit Jordan's blog @ http://www.jordaneasley.com/


Mission Trips coming up...

This spring break we have 2 amazing opportunities for our students to get involved in missions and evangelism. Are you signed up?

JHigh Mission Trip:
Make a difference in your world! Do not miss this opportunity to impact a community in Biloxi, Mississippi for the Kingdom of God. Don’t just sit around… put your faith into action!
When: March 17 - 21, 2009
Where: Biloxi, Mississippi
Cost: $325


High School Mission Trip
Join us for spring break as we partner with the Way of the Cross Ministries.
NOTE: WE WILL NOT BE HEADED INTO MEXICO THIS YEAR; INSTEAD WE WILL SERVE IN HARLINGEN WITH WAY OF THE CROSS IN MANY WAYS! Through Vacation Bible School, medical clinics, church building, house painting, and distribution of food, clothes and toys you will have the chance to share the love and message of Jesus Christ. It will be an unforgettable week... don't miss out!

When: March 16 - 20, 2009
Where: We will stay in Harlingen, Texas.
Cost: $375

If you are interested in joining in turn in your registration forms this weekend at any SHIFT Bible Study in the FLC.

Brian

Friday, February 27, 2009

DODGEBALL!!!! March 7th


GET A REGISTRATION FORM HERE!
$2 / person - teams of 8-10 players


$1,000 in prizes and giveaways!

CASH PRIZES for the winners!
PRIZES FOR BEST TEAM COSTUMES!


Awesome brackets for all levels!

March 7, 2009 @ 7:00pm
Register your team at the gate!!!



Saturday March 7, you need to invite, pick up or kidnap every one of your friends, teammates, band members, drill team and the chess club to join us under the lights for the most exciting Saturday night of the spring! There will be huge cash prizes for the winners, door prizes, and food for everyone! Door prizes will be drawn at 7pm sharp so be sure to be there on time!

JHigh Parent Blog

Just this week I started a new blog specifically for out JHigh parents. It's always my goal to partner with our student's parents, and this is just another way I hope to keep them as informed and involved as possible.

the blog address is http://jhighsbcnorth.blogspot.com/

If you are a parent of one of our JHigh students or know someone who is here is how you can begin receiving this blog in your personal email inbox.
1. point your browser to http://jhighsbcnorth.blogspot.com/
2. enter your email address in the "Subscribe via email" inbox
3. Follow the simply prompts and you're good to go!

Brian

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Blog from the Beach

As I sit here in our condo in Gulf Shores, AL I couldn't help but get excited for all the summer holds in store for our students. Beach Retreat this year will be an amazing experience that I pray many of our students will have the provilege of being a part of.
The beach is fabulous here, but the most exciting thing is what God is setting up behind the scenes for this summer's Beach Retreat (I know many of your 8th graders will be able to attend!)
Here are the dates for both HS and JHigh Beach Retreat this summer!

High School - June 7-12 (Gulf Shores, AL)
JHigh - June 14-19 (South Padre Is, TX)

A few things about my trip so far....
1. The Brand new worship venue for HS Beach retreat...it's right at The Wharf!



2. Plus, we saw dolphins today swimming in the bay right behind the Worship Center!

3. I get to go running on this tomorrow morning! God is Good!
Love you guys - can't wait for BR 09....be sure you're there!
Brian

Thursday, February 19, 2009

back to the basics


Tuesday we met as a Student Ministry Team to discuss what we should be about if we are about nothing else. Basically, we challenged ourselves to draw out what is most important while doing youth ministry – what things should constantly be priority, and what things are free to fall by the wayside. After a great discussion here is where we landed – thought I would share


Prayer – we can’t do anything without constantly going to God for HIS direction, instruction, and intervention. To leave this out is to get ahead of God himself. The question we asked ourselves here was: Have you spend time alone with God in prayer today?

Training/Leadership – realizing we can only effectively reach and connect with so many students by ourselves before our ministry bottlenecks it’s so basic that we train or “equip” others to do the work of the ministry as well. Training a core of solid leaders who can extend the ministry beyond our reach is key! The question we asked ourselves here was: Who have you invested in for ministry today?

Discipleship – this is what it is all about; handing off the baton of following Christ to the next generation. We challenged everyone on our team to have 5 students that are “yours”, 3 you know very well, and 1 that is your “Timothy.” The question we asked ourselves here was: Who have you intentionally built a relationship with this week?

Connecting with students – if we are all about programs and preaching but don’t relationally connect students to our ministry and to ourselves we are missing the big idea. Whether it’s in small groups, outside church, texting, on facebook, or at school campuses we have to be “there” in ministry and connect with students on their level. The question we asked ourselves here was: Who have you connected with this week?

Evangelism – sharing our faith should be something we model for our students and intentionally challenge them to do in everything we do. This is at the core of what Christ called us to do – to be His ambassadors, his witnesses. When our students see us lead someone to Christ or boldly proclaim the gospel evangelism is then caught instead of just taught! The question we asked ourselves here was: who have you shared Christ with this week?

Are these things you are keeping at the forefront of your ministry?

Are there other things you think belong here, I’d love to hear your comments!

Brian